Former Richmond Chief Executive awarded OBE

Release Date: 19 June 2017

The former Chief Executive of Richmond Council, Gillian Norton, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of her services to Richmond upon Thames and local government.

Gillian Norton was Chief Executive of Richmond Council for 17 years (since August 1999). Before that she was Chief Executive of Wokingham District Council for six years.

She retired from Richmond at the end of September 2016, whereupon she took up an honorary position as Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Richmond upon Thames. In addition, in February this year, Gillian was announced as the new Chair of St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“Gillian is one of the very finest and most gifted public servants I have ever had the privilege to work with. The people of this borough owe her an enormous debt of gratitude. It is fitting that she should receive a national honour that recognises her service not only within this borough, but in local government and the National Health Service beyond it.

“My warmest congratulations go to her and to her family, who have every right to be proud of Gillian's achievements and of her continuing dedicated public service.”

Gillian Norton, said:

“I am honoured and humbled to receive this commendation. This award is a reflection of the people I had the privilege to work alongside during my time at Richmond Council.

“I am immensely privileged that I was able to work with so many dedicated colleagues. That includes the thousands of staff, councillors and colleagues in partner organisations.

“All were and continue to be passionate in their commitment to improving the borough and the lives of local people. Together, we had a vision to improve, aim higher and work better together. This honour is for the whole borough.”